Matchsticks

[Stefan Kellow]

"Please, call me Steve or Stefan... Mister Kellow was my father." Stefan said with a smirk. "Listen... those traits kept you alive. They aren't all bad. And I would hardly think a veteran of your seniority in Starfleet and the Alliance Navy could be described as self centered or selfish. You're giving in too much to the cynicism of your counterpart."

[Rebecca Talon]

She shrugged, "Then count that as another failing. No one is perfect, just certain imperfections can be disastrous is allowed to ferment."

[Stefan Kellow]

"Only if you consider them failings." Stefan said with a sigh. "I do hope you find the peace and answers your troubled mind seeks. I cannot think of any better place than at Angelica's house and this Club... still, there is a church down the street. Maybe there is an answer there."

[Tereska Kellow]

"You're actually suggesting a church?" Teri said with a wry grin as she walked into the kitchen. "Or maybe she just needs to figure things out in her own way. She's a big girl. Don't mind my brother Rebecca... ever since I came around, he's been acting like the big brother he's always wanted to be, even though he's the baby of the family." she looked around the kitchen and found what she came in for. "Ah, there's the bottle opener."

"Bottle opener?" Stefan raised an eyebrow at her.

"Yeah, I'm being a gracious host and the opener I had broke." Teri said with a grin. "Doubt this will go beyond a date, but hope springs eternal." she nudged Becca and whispered. "You really should hang out around the University campus... these liberal arts majors are a lot more fun than Cadets. And the TAs and professors are way more... fun."

"And how much older is this one?" Stefan rolled his eyes and shook his head as he took a swig from a bottle of water. "Last one was almost my age."

"Only ten years. Teaches the pottery class I went to. He thinks I have gifted hands." Teri said and retrieved a bottle from the wine rack. "Anyway... don't wait up for me. Wait a sec..." she looked at the dishware and glasses he was putting into the dishwasher. "Where you trying to flirt with Nick's best friend?"

"No... of course not... just giving counsel." Stefan said with a 'busted' expression.

"Uh huh... now who's the one chasing after someone younger?" Teri teased and whispered to Becca. "He's a good guy... but seriously if you're not interested, shut it down or he's going to pine forever. Unless you want that."

[Rebecca Talon]

"Ummm..." Rebecca said. Smiling, "Good night Mister Kellow. Again thank you for the wonderful meal and conversation, but I really must get going. I have a nanny ready to go home and two kids who are up way past their bedtime."

[Stefan Kellow]

"Of course. It was a genuine delight to meet you. Don't be a stranger." Stefan said with a smile.

"And if you need someone other than Angel to talk to... just call." Teri said and handed her a card with her comm frequency on it. "My residency doesn't start for another few months so I've got more time than I know what to do with."

"Yes please... keep her busy. " Stefan chuckled and patted his 'little' sister on the back.

[Nick Ryder]

Nick came walking down from his residence and put his hands on his hips. "Uncle Steve... Teri. No one could have paged me that Becca was here?" he crossed his arms and looked at his old friend. "Hey stranger. Alice could smell whatever Steve was cooking and wanted to see if there was any left. So... " he looked at his best friend. "We actually going to going to talk or are we going to go another few months avoiding each other?"

[Rebecca Talon]

"That wasn't the plan," she said far more defensively than planned. "But yes, that is why I am here."

[Nick Ryder]

"Well c'mon... let's talk... " Nick guided her to a nicely furnished 'green room' that was normally reserved for visiting acts. "So how are the kids? That little Xenexian girl, you lucked out with her."

[Rebecca Talon]

"How do you mean?" Rebecca asked.